A €15,000 state-of-the-art physiotherapy system, fully funded by aluminium-can recycling proceeds, was handed to Larnaca general hospital on Wednesday, as local charity Cans for Kids marked another major donation to children’s rehabilitation.

The equipment was handed over in the presence of hospital chief financial officer Marios Michael, responsible physiotherapist at Larnaca hospital Stalo Mina Stylianou, Petrolina corporate social responsibility (CSR) head Elena Nicolaou and the charity’s treasurer, George Englezos.

Stylianou welcomed the donation, saying the new system gives the children the possibility for a safer and more effective rehabilitation in their first steps towards more independence.

She called it an act of real solidarity which contributes to the improvement of the daily life of the affected families, adding that she hoped for more collaboration with the charity.

The gait retraining system is used to help patients dealing with injury or disability learn or relearn how to walk correctly and safely, improving balance, posture and overall mobility.

The charity’s treasurer said that this new equipment is Cans for Kids’ second major donation in under a year, following a similar €15,000 contribution to Limassol hospital.

He credited the charity’s volunteers for their essential work sorting the aluminium cans, which made it possible to fund the purchase.

“As we always say, every single can counts – so please bring us yours and help us to continue improving our medical services,” he said.

He also thanked long-time supporter Petrolina for providing fuel for the charity’s vehicles, enabling islandwide collection and transport of cans to Nicosia’s recycling centre, where they are baled and sold.

This means, Englezos said, “that our precious funds can go straight to the purchase of more medical equipment”.

Nicolaou, Petrolina’s CSR head, reaffirmed the company’s commitment.

“We have been supporting the Cans for Kids Association since 2000, recognising its important social and environmental contribution,” she said.

“We will continue to stand by its side,” she added “contributing to the effort to enhance our hospitals and promote recycling in Cyprus.”

Cans For Kids was founded in 1990 and has led the way in Cyprus in recycling: it is the only organisation which collects used cans for recycling from urban and rural areas of Cyprus. It actively encourages the participation of schools and young people in sustainable living, as well as volunteerism.